Are you planing to visit Indonesia or considering a Bali holiday? If so, here an active holiday for you, an incredible opportunity to sail through the beautiful Indonesian islands to the legendary Komodo National Park. You’ll be sailing through the Lesser Sunda Islands on one of two fully furbished & magnificent traditional Pinisi sailboats. Either the Ombak Putih (24 passengers) or the Katharina (12 passengers). They are beautiful sailboats & the prefect way to glide between stunning Indonesian Islands on our way to Komodo Island.

All about the Sail Bali to Komodo, 8 Days, Sailing to Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

Sail Bali to Komodo Island

Are you planing to visit Indonesia or considering a Bali holiday? If so, here is an incredible opportunity to sail Bali to Komodo Island through the beautiful Indonesian islands & visit the legendary Komodo National Park.

You’ll be sailing through the Lesser Sunda Islands on one of two fully furbished & magnificent traditional Pinti sailboats. Either the Ombak Putih (24 passengers) or the Katharina (12 passengers). They are beautiful sailboats & the prefect way to glide between stunning Indonesian Islands on our way to Komodo Island.

Crystal clear water, tropical beaches, volcanic islands, lush jungles & incredible wildlife await you. You can use all of our water sports gear on the sailboat as you wish. Snorkel the colourful reef teaming with colourful species. Or take the stand up paddle board or sea kayaks & explore the Indonesian Islands up close.

Of course when you visit Indonesia, you become immersed in the rich cultures, traditions & incredible food. You’ll visit remote villages & have the chance to enjoy the best of the local cuisine.

Once we arrive at Komodo Island, we’ll visit the Komodo National Park to meet the famous Komodo Dragons. A once in a lifetime experience.

So, the best way to visit Indonesia or add something special to your Bali Holidays, is to join us on this amazing, luxurious, adventurous & priceless cruise through the paradise of the Indonesian Islands.

Life On Board

Barefoot on the deck of the graceful & magnificent sailing ships as we glide through the tropical paradise. You’ll be able to switch effortlessly between exploration & relaxation. Lounging on the deck, enjoying sunset drinks & great company. The crew are highly attentive & look forward to serving you delicious food including Indonesian specialities as well as Western favourites. With many cosy social spaces in & out of the sun, a fully stocked bar & air conditioned cabins, you’re cruising in style. Each cruise is lead by passionate professional & multi-lingual tour leaders, who are ready to answer any questions & help you get the most out of the Indonesian Islands. The crew are friendly & ready to provide insight into the local cultures with a smile.

Life Off The Ship

Every day as we cruise the Indonesian Islands, we will offer various activities to give you the opportunity to get the most out of this tropical paradise. Plenty of time in the water snorkelling amongst the vibrant colourful reef, especially when we are in the protected waters of the national parks. We’ll be looking for opportunities to swim with manta rays or whale sharks as well as identifying the many colourful tropical fish. Why not take the sea kayaks or stand up paddle boards to explore pristine bays, stop for a rest under the shade of the palm trees on empty white sand beaches. Or climb hilltops for spectacular views, explore the hidden caves & visit tiny islands. We will stop at many of the Indonesian Islands to visit the villages & get to know the local people & cultures. When we get to the Komodo National Park, we’ll of course start our search for the Komodo Dragon & glorious Bird of Paradise.

The People

Bali holidays are always fun, but Bali is just one of thousands of Indonesian Islands, with over 300 different ethnic groups & almost 700 different languages it’s an incredibly diverse nation of islands. While sailing to Komodo we’ll take every opportunity to visit and meet with as many of these cultures as we can. We’ll take you to visit local towns, schools, royal residences, shops & traditional markets. We’ll feast on local delicacies, watch weavers weave their magic & witness the timeless process of building a traditional Pinisi sailing ship on the beachside. You’ll realize you’re doing something special when you encounter the smiles & friendliness of locals and kids, always ready with a laugh & a smile.

Snorkelling

When you’re sitting above the world’s greatest marine biodiversity, it’s a must to go snorkelling. In fact you’ll want to go everyday, as you’ll make new discoveries & enjoy exploring this magical coral kingdom. We have equipment to suit all sizes & even non-swimmers can enjoy snorkelling with a special life-jacket. It’s something that we encourage everybody to enjoy, including kids with their parents. If you like, one of our qualified crew will swim with you, give instructions & tips & guide you over the reef until you feel confident enough to explore yourself. Amongst these Indonesian Islands with warm weather & warm waters teaming with an unbelievable range of marine life, literally thousands of species to be found, snorkelling is a dream come true.

Flora & Fauna

One of the greatest reasons to visit Indonesia is the incredible range of natural habitats & diversity of species. With tropical rainforests, smoking volcanoes, dry savannahs, mangrove forests, coral atolls & more, it’s a land for discovery. We’ll be on the lookout for rare tropical birds like the bird of paradise as well as hornbills & cockatoos. In the trees we’ll hopefully spot monkeys, tree kangaroos as well as orangutans. Of course we’ll also be loking out for the famous Komodo dragons of Komodo Island. Underwater we’ll be looking out for sea turtles, sea snakes & larger marine life like dolphins, manta rays & perhaps even a whale shark, as well as the countless reef life of the coral gardens.

The Islands

About 18,000 Indonesian Islands, stretching over 5,000 km east to west make up Indonesia. That’s an area Larger than the USA. It is the world’s largest archipelago. This is why the best way to really visit Indonesia is by ship, that way you we can access remote beaches, villages & jungles. It also means we can jump into the beautiful clear waters & be constantly rewarded with natural & cultural experiences that you wouldn’t get on ordinary Bali holidays.

We have two itineraries to choose from, so check them on the Itinerary tab.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Note: The price of this cruise does not include any domestic airfares to and from our start and end points, however, our reservations specialists in Bali are more than happy to help arrange domestic flights on your behalf and advise on scheduling. We book hundreds of flights each year on behalf of our guests and we know the best routes to take to ensure you arrive on time. We only book with IATA-approved airlines that have met with international standards of safety and dependability. Except for Bali, transfers to and from local airports to the boat are also included. If you are booking flights by yourself, do not book any flights before checking with us first. Our first and last day programmes rely on strict time scheduling, so please confirm with us to ensure that you arrive and depart at your destination with plenty of time to spare and to avoid disruption to other guests’ schedules.

Day 1

In the morning we will all meet at a café in South Bali for a quick breakfast before boarding our minibus for our destination of Amed in the eastern regency of Karangasem – an exotic royal Balinese kingdom of forests and mighty mountains, emerald rice terraces, mystical water palaces and pretty beaches. With our tour leader providing information along the way, we will stop Tenganan Village, a community that still holds to the ancient ’Bali Aga’ culture with its original traditions, ceremonies and rules of ancient Bali, and its unique village layout and architecture. We’ll also visit the royal water palace of Tirta Gangga, a fabled maze of spine-tinglingy, cold water pools and basins, spouts, tiered pagoda fountains, stone carvings and lush gardens. The final part of our scenic the journey takes us through a magnificent terrain of sculptured rice terraces followed by spectacular views of a fertile plain extending all the way to the coast.

Guarded by the mighty volcano, Gunung Agung, your charming beachside hotel welcomes you with warm Balinese hospitality and traditional architecture, rich with hand-carved ornamentation. After checking in, you can relax and unwind with a swim in the pool or in the calm, clear waters lapping the shore just footsteps from your room. Or you may prefer a gentle walk, in the surrounding village and hillsides. This will also be an opportunity for those unfamiliar with snorkelling to have a lesson with our tour leader. In the evening, take time to get better acquainted with your fellow guests in preparation for our voyage ahead with sunset drinks in the seaside bar and a Baliniese-style welcome dinner.

Day 2

We will wake in the morning at the resort, have a leisurely breakfast and maybe an early morning swim or snorkel before being transported the short distance to the boat, which will be waiting at anchor in the bay. After we board the vessel you will have a chance to settle in before the captain gives the orders for the anchor to be lifted prior to crossing the Lombok Strait. This deep trench of water between Bali and Lombok marks part of a very important ecological boundary called the Wallace Line, which was first described by Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, the renowned Victorian naturalist. Wallace noticed that the flora and fauna of the islands to the west are home to Asiatic animal and plant species, whereas the islands to the east of the invisible line have a greater similarity to species found in Australia. In the afternoon, we will make our first stop at one of the three Gili islands, a popular holiday destination just off Lombok’s northwest coast. We will spend a few hours here, during which time you can choose from a number of water activities: swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, or simply enjoying the beautiful white-sand beach.

Day 3

Moored off the coast of North Lombok, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before going ashore and boarding a private bus for a trip into the interior of the northern side of the island and the traditional village of Senaru. Here, we will be taken on a tour, by one of the local women-guides, of the simple thatched houses and gardens of fruits and spices, which will give us an insight into the culture of the indigenous Sasak people. Our mellow adventure will then lead us down a well-trodden flight of steps through the tropical forest to Sindang Gila, a roaring 40-metre tiered waterfall. The small gravel beach and flat rocks at the base of the falls are a meeting place for the local people, and if we want we can take a dip under the full force of the intense flow. Our walk will continue alongside an old irrigation canal offering panoramic vistas of rice fields stretching towards the sea. The area around Senaru and Bayan was the birthplace of Lombok’s unique Wektu Telu belief system in which ancient animist practices are combined with Islam. If we have time, we will visit Bayan Beleq, a grass-roofed mosque with woven bamboo walls. Said to have been founded in the 16th century, this is the oldest mosque in Lombok. We may also have time to see some weavers and spinners demonstrating their age-old skills. After getting back to the boat and having lunch, we will explore one of the coral reefs near Gili Sulat, which is a marine conservation area.

Day 4

This morning we will moor off Labuan Aji village on the island of Moyo, visit the village and then walk to Diwu Mba’i waterfall, where can swing on a rope and jump into the deep clear river pool below, or simply bathe in the refreshing cool water. Our next stop will be Satonda, a strange and mystical volcanic island with a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora erupted in 1815, causing a tsunami that flowed into the crater. The eruption was the biggest volcanic explosion in the collective memory of mankind; it had roughly four times the energy of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, and gave rise to the ‘year without a summer’ because of the effect on North American and European weather. Local people believe Satonda to be magical, and with this in mind, we will walk to the lip of the caldera to view the mysterious lake, alongside which are trees believed to be ‘wishing trees.’ Visitors to the island tie a small stone to a tree and make a wish. If your wish comes true, you are bound to return to the island to offer thanks. The seas surrounding the island are rich with soft and hard corals and colourful tropical fish, so we will spend the afternoon swimming and snorkelling. Another highlight of our visit to Satonda will be the sight of thousands of flying foxes that commute at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland, returning before first light the next day. Immediately after sunset, we leave for an overnight passage on a course due east.

Day 5

We will wake up off the coast of Pulau Sangean, an active volcano that towers 1,800 metres above sea level. After breakfast, we will go ashore to a small hamlet, which, because of the active nature of the volcano, is only inhabited for short periods during the year when the local people come to tend their crops and small herds of buffaloes, which we can see swimming in the sea. Luckily for us, the local community of boatbuilders on the mainland has started construction of a brand new and very large pinisi boat on the beach at Sangean village. We will have the opportunity to see the process that built both the Ombak Putin and Katharina in action; truly an impressive sight and a marvel of engineering. We will then snorkel on both a nearby reef and a location on the north of the island where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, a most interesting sight. We will then proceed to the island of Banta and its pure white sand beach, for an afternoon of swimming, snorkelling and hill climbing for the fit. Later that evening we proceed on to Komodo dragon country.

Day 6

This morning, the boat will be anchored off the famous Komodo Island, one of approximately 80 islands that make up the Komodo National Park. We will go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning ranger-led trek through the park searching for Komodo dragons. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, we will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring, giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. We may spot deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangle-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. After returning to the onboard we will cruise around the coast and visit Komodo village, where we can buy some local handicrafts. Later we may head to Pantai Merah ‘red-beach,’ which takes its name from the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here we will swim and snorkel over one of the richest reefs in Eastern Indonesia, relishing the unforgettable spectacle of the region’s many varieties of coral and marine life. Later, we will head to Makassar Reef, where we will look for manta rays, and if we spot them, we will go snorkelling with these gentle giants. We will then head to Gili Lawa Darat for some more snorkelling and a hill climb to watch a magical sunset.

Day 7

Today we will visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island where we will have another ranger-led nature trek in search of more Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. Rinca is also well known for its diverse wildlife, so we may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. In the afternoon, we can go snorkelling on the beautiful Siaba Island, before perhaps visiting the lovely Kelor Island. We will also have the option of visiting the adjacent island of Kukusan where we will meet a settlement of ‘sea-gypsies,’ the Bajao people who build their homes on stilts over the sea. That evening we will go ashore to an uninhabited island and get our toes in the sand for a final night’s beach barbeque. With a raging bonfire, great food, dancing and the crew singing and playing guitars, this end-of-cruise celebration under the stars is a quintessential experience on our cruises.

Day 8

For those early risers, we will have time for one last swim and snorkel, before cruising into Labuan Bajo harbour. At about 9am we will leave the boat for a trip to the village of Melo. Here, local ‘strongmen’ will perform the ‘Caci,’ a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. The men of Western Flores are famous for this test of daring and skill, requiring lightning quick moves to dodge the infliction of a wound. The winner is loudly applauded and cheered by the village. Besides this, the cultural group will also showcase other traditional dances. After the performance, we will have lunch on the boat before transferring you to the airport for your flight back to Bali.

Day 1

After flying from Bali in the early afternoon, you will be transported to a beachside resort just outside of the port town of Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the Komodo National Park. You will have the afternoon free to relax and unwind with a swim or a snorkel, or even a walk around the town. It’s also an opportunity for those unfamiliar with snorkelling to have a lesson with our tour leader. In the evening, we will enjoy sunset drinks on the beach before dinner with your fellow guests as you get better acquainted for the voyage ahead.

Day 2

After breakfast at the resort, at about 9am we will leave the resort for a trip to the village of Melo. Here, local ‘strongmen’ will perform the ‘Caci,’ a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. The men of Western Flores are famous for this test of daring and skill, requiring lightning quick moves to dodge the infliction of a wound. The winner is loudly applauded and cheered by the village. Besides this, the cultural group will also showcase other traditional dances. After our visit to Melo we will return to Labuan Bajo where you will get your first glimpse of your splendid pinisi boat. We will have plenty of time to settle in and get acquainted with the crew and fellow passengers as we cruise to the island of Kelor. Once there, we can enjoy a swim or a snorkel, kayak, or have a little bit of fun on a paddleboard. We will also have the option of visiting the adjacent island of Kukusan where we will meet a settlement of ‘sea-gypsies,’ the Bajao people who build their homes on stilts over the sea. At around sunset we will be able to witness the departure of thousands of flying foxes departing their roosts to feed, and later that evening we will cruise to Komodo dragon country.

Day 3

Today we will visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island where we will have a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. Rinca is also well known for its diverse wildlife, so we may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills along the walks, the scenery is breathtaking. In the afternoon, we can go snorkelling in the rich waters of Siaba Island and then later we will head to the gorgeous Pantai Merah ‘red-beach,’ which takes its name from the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here we will swim and snorkel, relishing the unforgettable spectacle of the region’s many varieties of coral and marine life. With over 1000 species of fish in the waters of the national park, there is much more to this wildlife reserve than just dragons.

Day 4

When we wake up, the boat will be anchored off the famous Komodo Island, one of approximately 80 islands that make up the Komodo National Park. We will go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning ranger-led trek through the park searching for Komodo dragons. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, we will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring, giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. We may spot deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangle-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. During lunch, we will head to Makassar Reef, where we will look for manta rays, and if we are lucky enough to spot them we will go snorkelling with these gentle giants. We will then head to Gili Lawa Darat for some snorkelling and a hill climb to watch a magical sunset, then will get our toes in the sand for a beach barbeque. With a raging bonfire, great food, dancing and the crew singing and playing guitars, this celebration under the stars is a quintessential experience on our cruises.

Day 5

We will wake up off the coast of Banta Island with its pinkish-white sand beach. We will go ashore and enjoy a morning of swimming, snorkelling and hill climbing for the fit. After lunch on the boat, we will then proceed to Pulau Sangean, an active volcano that towers 1,800 metres above sea level. We will go ashore to a small and very simple village, which, because of the active nature of the volcano, is only inhabited for short periods during the year when the local people come to tend their crops and small herds of buffaloes. Luckily for us, the local community of boatbuilders on the mainland has started construction of a brand new and very large pinisi boat on the beach at Sangean village. We will have the opportunity to see the process that built both the Ombak Putin and Katharina in action; truly an impressive sight and a marvel of engineering. We will snorkel on both a nearby reef and maybe a location on the north of the island where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, a most interesting sight. At sunset we will head for Satonda Island.

Day 6

Today we reach the strange and mystical volcanic island of Satonda with its beautiful coral gardens along the coastline. Satonda has a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora erupted in 1815, causing a tsunami that flowed into the crater. The eruption was the biggest volcanic explosion in the collective memory of mankind; it had roughly four times the energy of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, and gave rise to the ‘year without a summer’ because of the effect on North American and European weather. Local people believe Satonda to be magical, and with this in mind, we will walk to the lip of the caldera to view the mysterious lake, alongside which are trees believed to be ‘wishing trees.’ Visitors to the island tie a small stone to a tree and make a wish. If your wish comes true, you are bound to return to the island to offer thanks. From Satonda we will cruise to the island of Moyo where we will moor off Labuan Aji village and walk to Diwu Mba’i waterfall. Here, we can swing on a rope and jump into the deep clear river pool below, or simply bathe in the refreshing cool water. Returning to the sea, we will find time for snorkelling on the reef, and later relax under the stars aboard the Ombak Putih as we will continue our westward voyage to Lombok.

Day 7

Moored off the coast of North Lombok, we will have breakfast and then go ashore and then head off by bus or car into the interior of the northern side of the island to the traditional village of Senaru. Here, we will be taken on a tour, by one of the local women-guides, of the simple thatched houses and gardens of fruits and spices, which will give us an insight into the culture of the indigenous Sasak people. Our mellow adventure will then lead us down a well-trodden flight of steps through the tropical forest to Sindang Gila, a roaring 40-metre tiered waterfall. The small gravel beach and flat rocks at the base of the falls are a meeting place for the local people, and if we want we can take a dip under the full force of the intense flow. Our walk will continue alongside an old irrigation canal offering panoramic vistas of rice fields stretching towards the sea. The area around Senaru and Bayan was the birthplace of Lombok’s unique Wektu Telu belief system in which ancient animist practices are combined with Islam. If we have time, we will visit Bayan Beleq, a grass-roofed mosque with woven bamboo walls. Said to have been founded in the 16th century, this is the oldest mosque in Lombok. We may also see some weavers and spinners demonstrating their age-old skills. After lunch we will snorkel on nearby Gili Sulat before heading of in the direction of Bali. Tonight, under s starry sky we will have a last night party with the crew on board.

Day 8

We will wake up off the coast of Bali under the majestic gaze of Mt Agung, Bali’s mother mountain. Here we will go for a final snorkel and swim before heading south along the coast to our disembarkation point of Amuk Bay. Here we say farewell to our crew and will join a bus for the 90-minute trip back to south Bali.

The Ships

Offering all the creature comforts of the modern world, our two wooden pinisi ships, Ombak Putih and Katharina, are part of a beautiful, centuries-old maritime tradition of hand-crafted boatbuilding in Indonesia. Built by the highly-skilled seafaring peoples of Borneo and Sulawesi, using hand tools and traditional methods of construction, the design of these gaff-rigged ketches has been adapted and passed down from father to son for centuries. Interestingly, the pinisi fleet still forms the massive bulk of Indonesia’s cargo and transport network today.

Our boats are outfitted with the most up-to-date safety equipment and communications technology, and equipped with high-quality tenders, kayaks, stand-up-paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Our comfortable cabins are located below decks and offer all the necessary amenities, including double beds or twin bunks, private en-suite bathrooms, lots of natural light, individually controlled air-conditioning, ample storage space, and plenty of electrical and USB outlets.

In 2014 and 2015 respectively, working with the unique legacy these vessels represent, Katharina and Ombak Putih both had major refits. Their transformation was an exercise to conserve their authenticity, using only the best traditional materials, and shaped by highly skilled Indonesian craftsmen of the same heritage that built them.

Food & Beverage

Our galleys are staffed with talented individuals who pride themselves on being able to conjure up all manner of dishes and delicacies from across the world, using only the best quality meat, seafood and fresh produce available – with the latter often sourced from local markets and the fishermen we meet along the way. Vegetarian dishes and kids’ meals are a specialty, and most special dietary requirements can be accommodated with minimal fuss. Our pursers are on hand all day to serve meals and make sure you have all you need; from cold towels and fresh juices to a full plate of food and an iced drink whenever you need it. Each boat has a full bar stocked with local and imported wines, imported spirits and domestic beer, which are charged at pretty much cost price, while all non-alcoholic drinks are inclusive.

Activity Level: Relaxed

This cruise has lots of activity that you can join without any previous experience or skills. It’s suitable for most people & you will be able to do more activities and push yourself a little harder if you wish, or you can choose to relax. So, yes, this one is definitely suitable for most people and it’s also great for families.